Lotus to unveil Emeya electric sedan on September 7

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【Summary】Lotus will unveil the Emeya electric sedan on September 7, marking the brand's return to the sedan segment since the 1990s. The Emeya will join Lotus' expanding lineup of electric vehicles, including the Eletre mid-size SUV and a compact crossover. The sedan is expected to have design elements similar to the Tesla Model S and the Eletre. It will likely share the same platform and attributes as the Eletre, including dual-motor all-wheel drive and fast-charging capabilities.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:15 AM PT

Lotus to unveil Emeya electric sedan on September 7

Lotus is preparing to introduce its first sedan in decades, following the Carlton from the early 1990s. The British performance brand recently unveiled a teaser video showcasing a sleek four-door model named the Emeya. With the code name Type 133 and previously rumored to be called Envya, the Emeya will make its debut as an all-electric sedan on September 7. It will join Lotus' expanding lineup of mainstream electric vehicles, which includes the Eletre mid-size SUV and a compact crossover referred to as the Type 134.

The teaser video provides a glimpse of the Emeya's design, featuring a shape reminiscent of the Tesla Model S and borrowing styling cues from the Eletre. The front of the sedan showcases twin-element daytime running lights, while the rear features a light strip similar to the Eletre. Spy shots of prototypes have also revealed that the Emeya will inherit the Eletre's triangular active shutters and may offer cameras instead of traditional side mirrors.

Although Lotus has confirmed plans to sell the Eletre in the US in 2024, the availability of other EVs in the American market has not been mentioned. If the Emeya receives approval for a US launch, it will likely arrive in 2024 as well. The Emeya is expected to share the same Electric Premium Architecture platform as the Eletre, which supports dual-motor all-wheel drive, air suspension, and fast-charging capabilities.

Potential competitors for the Emeya include the Audi E-Tron GT, Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and high-end variants of the Tesla Model S. Lotus' sister brand, Polestar, is also developing a similar model called the Polestar 5, set to be released next year. Lotus Technology, the division responsible for non-sports car models, is overseeing the development of the Emeya, Eletre, and upcoming compact crossover. Production of these vehicles will take place at a facility in Wuhan, China.

In addition to the Emeya, Lotus has plans to launch the Type 134 compact crossover in approximately 2025, followed by a new sports car with the code name Type 135 around 2026. Lotus has confirmed that all future models will be electric, as the current Emira sports car marks the end of gas-powered vehicles for the brand.